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Archive for February, 2010

The 2010 Lexus LS lineup receives freshened styling, some new features, and a performance-oriented Sport Package. Three versions of Lexus’ flagship sedan are offered: The regular-length 460, and the 460 L and gas/electric hybrid 600h L that add about 5 inches of wheelbase and overall length. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the 460 and 460 L. AWD is standard on the 600h and available on the 460 and 460 L. All 460 models have a 4.6-liter V8 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-drive versions have 380 hp, and AWD models have 357. The 600h pairs a 5.0-liter gas V8 with an electric motor for 438 hp total. The hybrid uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, rear side airbags, curtain airbags, and front knee airbags.

Available only on the rear-wheel-drive 460, the new-for-2010 Sport Package includes steering-wheel paddle shifters, sport-tuned air suspension, 19-inch wheels, Brembo-brand brakes, and unique trim. Other option groups include the 460′s Comfort Package with heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, and rear power sunshade. The 460′s Comfort Plus Package adds power rear seats and rear side airbags. Available for 460 L is a Rear Seat Upgrade Package that includes a cooled rear console and four-zone climate control. Also offered on 460 L and 600h is an Executive Class Seating Package that changes the seating configuration to four passengers and adds a retractable table, DVD entertainment, and a reclining, massaging right-rear seat.

A navigation system is optional on 460 and 460 L and standard on 600h. A rearview camera and a wireless cell-phone link are standard on all LS models. Lexus’ Pre-Collision Safety System is available on all LS models. Packaged with adaptive cruise control, it automatically tightens the seatbelts and readies full braking power when sensors detect an imminent collision. Also available is Lexus’ Advanced Parking Guidance System which provides hands-free parallel parking.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt makes its debut as General Motors’ first plug-in gas/electric vehicle. It is slated to see limited production, with launches in California and Michigan in late 2010. Full availability is slated for calendar 2011.

GM calls this four-passenger, 4-door hatchback an “extended-range electric vehicle” in that it does not work like most hybrids. With many hybrids, their gasoline engines and battery-powered electric motors can provide power to the drive wheels. With Volt, the wheels are always driven by electricity, provided either by an onboard battery or a gasoline engine. The car plugs in to a household outlet and charges overnight. Chevy claims a range of 40 miles solely on a fully charged battery and more than 600 miles when the gasoline engine is used.

At this point, it is not known what the gas motor will be, but expect it to be a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that will also be capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Available safety features likely will include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Among the available features include a remote-charging and vehicle-control program that owners can download and run from Blackberry and Apple iPhone cell phones. Other features likely will include a wireless cell-phone link and a navigation system. We have not yet tested the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

The 2010 Kia Soul is a new subcompact car from this Korean automaker. Soul is a front-wheel drive, 4-door wagon that’s slightly larger than Kia’s Rio. Four trim levels are offered: Soul, Soul , Soul! (exclaim), and Soul sport. Base Soul models are powered by a 122-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 5-speed manual transmission. Standard on the other versions is a 142-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that pairs with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Power windows and locks are standard on all models. The base Soul has 15-inch wheels. Soul adds 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a wireless cell phone link. Soul! has a sunroof and 18-inch wheels. Soul sport has unique 18-inch wheels, sport suspension, and specific interior and exterior trim. An uprated audio system is optional on Soul and standard on Soul! and Soul sport. Due later in the model year is the Denim Soul. Based on the Soul , the Denim version has specific paint and wheels and includes the uprated audio system.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The subcompact class is made up of the smallest hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons on the market. These are generally considered economy cars.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class is the first premium compact SUV from this German manufacturer. This 4-door wagon shares its platform with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class premium compact car. A single GLK350 trim level is available with rear-wheel drive or the company’s 4Matic all-wheel drive. The lone engine is a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 that is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. GLKs wear standard 19-inch wheels and tires, and 20-inch versions are included as part of the optional appearance package. Available features include a navigation system that comes with a hard drive for storing digital music files, bi-xenon headlamps, and a panoramic sunroof. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact SUVs are luxury SUVs that are compact in size. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. This segment is one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories.

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi marks the return of a midsize sedan to this Japanese automaker’s lineup. Kizashi is available with front-wheel drive in S, SE, GTS, and SLS trim levels. SE, GTS, and SLS also offer all-wheel drive. All Kizashi models are powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The engine is rated at 185 hp with the manual or 180 hp with the CVT. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front and rear side airbags. Keyless engine start and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard on all models. A 10-way power driver seat with three-position memory is standard on all but the S. A wireless cell-phone link and sunroof are standard on the GTS and SLS. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and rear-obstacle detection are SLS-exclusive standard features.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family-oriented sedans and wagons. Our Best Buys include the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Mercury Milan, and Toyota Prius. Our Recommended picks are the Kia Rondo, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, and Toyota Camry.

The 2010 Porsche Panamera debuts as a large, four-passenger, 4-door hatchback. Rear-wheel-drive S and all-wheel-drive 4S and Turbo models are offered. All use a front-mounted 4.8-liter V8 engine and a 7-speed double clutch automatic transmission. S and 4S have 400 horsepower, while the Turbo has 500 horsepower.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front and rear side airbags, and front knee airbags. All models have an engine stop and start feature that shuts off the engine when the car is stopped and restarts it when the brake pedal is released. An adaptive air suspension is standard on the Turbo and optional on the S and 4S. Other available features include 4-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front and rear seats, split folding rear seat, a rear refrigerator, steering-linked bi-xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, and DVD entertainment. This evaluation is based on preview drives.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have six-figure price tags.

The 2010 Ford Taurus gets a major makeover, with revised exterior and interior styling, and new features. Ford also revives the high-performance Taurus SHO for 2010. This large sedan retains the basic platform and powertrain of the 2008-2009 Taurus. The 2010 model reprises SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels, all with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is offered on the SEL and Limited. All are powered by a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The high-performance Taurus SHO (super high-output) returns for 2010 after last being produced in 1999. It has Ford’s “EcoBoost” turbocharged 365-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, and AWD.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Blind-spot alert is also offered, along with Ford’s Cross Traffic Alert, which is designed to sense oncoming traffic when slowly backing out of a parking spot. SOS Post-Crash Alert unlocks the doors, sounds the horn and activates the emergency flashers in the event of an air bag deployment. Among the available features are leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear-obstacle detection, a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and Ford’s Sync voice-activated control interface. MyKey allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume. A capless fuel filler is standard and keyless access and engine start is available. SHO models have specific steering, suspension tuning, and brakes. A SHO-exclusive “Performance Pack” includes uprated brakes and 20-inch summer-only tires.

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans. Large inside and out, they offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.